Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Introduction to Refining and Process Flow

• Understand the role of refining in the oil and gas value chain.
• Learn about crude oil composition and its impact on refining processes.
• Analyze basic refinery process flow diagrams (PFDs) and configurations.

2. Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) and Vacuum Distillation Unit (VDU)

• Learn atmospheric and vacuum distillation principles.
• Optimize cut points for maximizing high-value product yield.
• Identify common CDU/VDU operational challenges (overheating, fouling, fractionation inefficiencies).

3. Conversion Processes for Maximizing Product Value

• Understand Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) for gasoline production.
• Learn hydrocracking fundamentals for distillate and jet fuel production.
• Optimize delayed coking and visbreaking for residue upgrading.

4. Hydroprocessing and Clean Fuels Production

• Learn about hydrotreating for sulfur and nitrogen removal.
• Understand hydrocracking and its role in refining middle distillates.
• Ensure compliance with ultra-low sulfur fuel standards (Tier 3, IMO 2020, Euro VI regulations).

5. Reforming and Isomerization for Octane Improvement

• Optimize naphtha reforming for high-octane gasoline production.
• Learn about isomerization for light naphtha upgrading.
• Understand aromatics production for petrochemical feedstocks.

6. Refinery Utilities and Support Systems

• Learn about steam and power generation, hydrogen production, and water treatment.
• Understand flare systems, sulfur recovery, and effluent treatment for environmental compliance.
• Optimize energy efficiency and waste heat recovery in refinery utilities.

7. Refinery Equipment and Engineering Fundamentals

• Understand heat exchangers, pumps, compressors, distillation columns, and reactors.
• Learn about instrumentation, process control, and automation (DCS, APC, SCADA).
• Identify common mechanical failures and maintenance best practices.

8. Refinery Safety, Emergency Procedures, and Environmental Compliance

• Implement HSE standards for safe refinery operations.
• Understand fire, explosion, and toxic exposure risks in refining.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, API, EPA, and environmental best practices.

9. Case Studies and Practical Applications

• Analyze real-world refinery operational challenges and optimization strategies.
• Participate in hands-on process troubleshooting and simulation exercises.
• Develop a refinery process optimization and safety improvement plan.

Target Audience

• New refinery engineers and process operators
• Maintenance and reliability personnel
• Instrumentation and process control engineers
• Operations and safety professionals
• Technical service and refinery planning staff